It’s no secret that both Sony and Microsoft have begun work on their next-gen consoles. While neither will outright admit it, or provide concrete details about their highly anticipated machines, gamers know that 2013 should see these new consoles’ coming out parties.

However, at least as far as Sony is concerned, the company has to temper expectations for a next-gen console with a current-gen console that is still performing quite well. It’s something that Sony has already addressed — the idea that the PS3 still has a lot left to give — and they are apparently struggling to balance development resources constantly.

Speaking with CVG, Sony’s Managing Director of PlayStation UK, Fergal Gara, claims the PS3 still has a ways to go before it “peaks.” When looking at the numbers, Gara believes that Sony’s console is holding up better than others, and therefore is apprehensive about completely abandoning the PS3.

“If you look at continental Europe, PS3 hasn’t even peaked yet. Why would you run away from a console business when you’re not even top of the hill? We’re certainly not going to run away from it.”

Even though Gara might believe the PS3 hasn’t run its course that apparently is not stopping Sony from devoting studio resources towards the next-gen. Furthermore, the company’s new handheld, the PlayStation Vita, also occupies a certain amount of resources, stretching the company even thinner.

While Gara wouldn’t provide any clues as to where Sony is headed for the next-gen — will it be disc-based, how much of an improvement will it be over current-gen, how much will it cost — he makes a good point about keep gamers’ focus on some of Sony’s exciting new content. Yes, as Gara points out, the company doesn’t have a big triple-A game for Christmas (although PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale fans might disagree), but they have some intriguing titles slated for 2013.

“We don’t have to talk to the same audience all the time. We have a stronger play on family this Christmas, and for the core games we will leverage third parties a bit more. I’m convinced we’ve got some great games coming out next year, such as The Last of Us and Beyond.”

Games like The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls are important parts of Sony’s current-gen slate, and will presumably help keep the PS3 going whilst next-gen talk significantly ramps up. There are also a few multiplatform titles (like BioShock: Infinite and Tomb Raider) that many gamers are eager to get their hands on.

Current-gen is by no means dead, but at some point keeping the PS3 afloat is going to conflict with next-gen work. Just look at this past E3, where developers were showing off new and exciting titles like Star Wars 1313 and Watch Dogs, but couldn’t give concrete answers about what consoles they might launch on.

Gara might believe that the PS3 hasn’t reached its peak, but for a lot of gamers, and maybe a lot of developers, it’s time for the next-gen.

Do you agree with Fergal Gara’s comments about the PS3 not having peaked yet? Should Sony hold off on next-gen talk until after games like Last of Us and Beyond have launched?